Did you know that 1 in 10 people in the United States are living with a rare disease?
That’s more than 10 million individuals who have already been diagnosed.
And yet, despite this prevalence, the average person waits 5–8 years before receiving an accurate diagnosis.
So… what exactly is a rare disease?
And why does it take so long to diagnose one?
Join us for UConn’s inaugural Rare Disease Day Symposium to find out.
This event offers a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of rare diseases and hear directly from members of the rare disease community—including patients, physicians, scientists, and artists. Panelists will also lead breakout sessions exploring a wide range of topics connected to rare disease advocacy, research, lived experience, and creative expression. Many discussions will extend beyond medicine, highlighting the diverse and interdisciplinary nature of the rare disease landscape.
An art and research gallery will also be open throughout the event, featuring work from local rare disease artists and showcasing the latest research innovations at UConn.
Visit this link to RSVP and view the schedule: UConn 2026 Rare Disease Day Symposium RSVP – Fill out form
Event Details
Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Location: Student Union, Room 304
Come be part of UConn’s first-ever celebration of Rare Disease Day—and help amplify the voices of a community that deserves to be heard.
For more information, contact: Anthony Zuo at Anthony.zuo@uconn.edu